Taught Postgraduate Admissions Policy - Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences 2021-22

Please see Coursefinder for the course list, typical entry requirements, and accepted qualifications. 

Exceptions to the typical academic requirements may be made when an applicant demonstrates significant relevant experience and their potential for benefiting from the course is clear. Relevant voluntary or work experience may be taken into account where appropriate. The applicant would be required to demonstrate that this experience is substantial and relevant to their chosen programme of study. Exceptionally, research publications may be taken into consideration if they demonstrate significant expertise in a relevant field.  

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a CV to provide more detailed information about their prior educational and work experience.   

In order to gain admittance to a number of courses in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences applicants must pass an ATAS check. Please see the ATAS, CAS and Student visas section for further details.

Please refer to the corresponding section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy.

Any decision on credit transfer or entry of students with advanced standing is an academic decision taken within the relevant academic school at the point of admission onto a course. Retrospective applications from students who are part-way through a course will not normally be considered. Please contact the Admissions Team using the Useful contacts and resources section. 

Accreditation of Prior Learning 

Accredited prior learning (APL) is a process undertaken by the University in order to assess and, as appropriate, recognise prior experiential learning or prior certificated learning for academic purposes.  For further information see the corresponding Advanced Entry section of the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy. 

All applicants for taught postgraduate courses should apply online. If an application deadline is in place, this will be stated on Coursefinder and the completed application must be submitted by this date.  

Please also see the Gathered Field section. 

Applications for postgraduate study should be made via the Applicant Portal regardless of the mode of study. 

Some courses in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences require applicants to hold an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate in order to undertake postgraduate study. If an ATAS is required, it will be stated on the course page on Coursefinder. 

Read more information about ATAS on the University website.

Please see the relevant section in the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy. 

The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences considers applications from candidates who have previously studied at the institution in line with the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy. Where appropriate, such candidates may be able to apply for Advanced Entry (see relevant section above).  

Applicants must typically meet the offer conditions set by the University in enough time to arrive by the start of teaching, particularly students who need to pay a tuition fee deposit, and be issued a CAS in order to apply for a Student visa. Decisions on acceptance where there is any possibility of a delay to arrival are at the School’s discretion. Offer holders should seek advice from the appropriate School admissions office where this may be the case. 

Applicants who wish to defer an offer of a place to the following academic year should make the request via the Applicant Portal by 1 April 2022, where the course has a September or October start date.

The personal statement of the application form helps us to assess the nature of the applicant’s interest in the academic subject and is an important part of the selection process. It is essential that applicants take this opportunity to demonstrate their enthusiasm and aptitude for the academic subject. Where applications show similar academic achievements we may use the statement in order to differentiate between applicants. 

Interviews do not form part of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences standard admissions process however, in some cases, an applicant may be invited for an interview if it will help inform whether or not an offer should be made. If an interview is required, we will contact applicants to agree a mutually convenient time. 

Interviews methods may vary depending on the circumstances and/or geographical location of the applicant. For example, interviews may take place on a one to one basis or via video conferencing or telephone. 

The Schools of Computing, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering will operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year. Deadline and decision dates are displayed on Coursefinder. 

If applicants do not receive an offer in a particular stage, either they will be notified that the application has been unsuccessful, or we may carry the application forward to be considered in the next stage. Applications will only be carried forward once. 

We receive a high volume of applications, therefore we may need more time to assess an application. If this is case, we will carry the application to the next stage and notify the applicant of this. 

Relevant voluntary or work experience may be taken into account when a taught postgraduate application is assessed. The applicant would be required to demonstrate that this experience is substantial and relevant to their chosen programme of study. Research publications may be taken into consideration if they demonstrate significant expertise in a relevant field.  

Please refer to the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy for information on how decisions will be communicated by the University. 

Unsuccessful applicants who wish to request feedback on the reason for the outcome of their application should do so in line with the Feedback section of the above policy, using the relevant email address contact in the Useful contacts and resources section. Generally, where applicants request feedback on why they have not been admitted, feedback will be given. However, please note that initial feedback is given as standard to all unsuccessful candidates who apply via the Applicant Portal.  

As per the University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy, applicants who have sought feedback and wish to challenge the decision made on their application should contact the Faculty Admissions Manager, whose details can be found in the Useful contacts and resources section.